Walking: 5 Benefits

People who walk regularly swear by the health and psychological benefits of their daily jaunt. Here are five reasons whythey’re right.

1. Walking reduces stress, cheers you up and increases self-esteem

If you’ve ever gone out for a walk in a huff and come back more calm and collected, you know firsthand that walking can help reduce stress. Studies also confirm that walking benefits your mood by releasing your body’s natural happy drugs — endorphins. And you’ll be full of pride at your accomplishment, which helps increase your self-esteem.

2. You can lose weight by walking just 30 minutes a day

Walking is one of the best exercises for losing weight — it’s relatively easy to do (and easy on the joints), it’s free and you have to do it every day anyway. To start walking for fitness, try to begin with a 20-minute walk every day. If that’s too much, start smaller. But do set a goal of building to 30 minutes a day, every day.

4. Walks can be easier and more fun with a pedometer and a pal

Tracking your steps with a pedometer is key to walking success, says Michael F. Roizen, MD, Chair ofCleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute and co-author of the audiobook YOU: On a Walk. People who love their pedometers logged a reported 2,000 more steps per day. To make your workout feel easier too, ask someone to join you. With a walking buddy, you’re bound to enjoy your workout more — and feel it less.

5. People experience a major dip in snack cravings during and after a 15-minute walk

Cravings in general are usually bad news for people trying to lose weight. Craved-for foods tend to be calorie-dense, fatty or sugary, with chocolate being the most commonly reported. Recent findings show that walking can curtail a hankering for chocolate, both during the walk and for about 10 minutes afterward. Says Professor Adrian Taylor of the University of Exeter, the scientist behind the study, the findings suggest that walking helps people lose weight by curbing cravings for sugary snacks.